Climate Change Policy Analysts
Research and analyze policy developments related to climate change. Make climate-related recommendations for actions such as legislation, awareness campaigns, or fundraising approaches.
Also called: Climate Advisor · Climate Analyst · Climate and Energy Program Associate · Climate Economist · Environmental Policy Analyst · Policy Analyst
Median pay (national)
$80,060
$50,130–$134,830 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
84,930
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.4%
~8,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for climate change policy analysts shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $134,830 versus $50,130 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $80,060 leaves roughly 68% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 8,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 54 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $122,440, +53% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $47,250 — a 159% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.
- Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
- Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.
- Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.
- Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.
- Present climate-related information at public interest, governmental, or other meetings.
- Gather and review climate-related studies from government agencies, research laboratories, and other organizations.
- Review existing policies or legislation to identify environmental impacts.
- Promote initiatives to mitigate climate change with government or environmental groups.
- Research policies, practices, or procedures for climate or environmental management.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- C++
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Linux
- Perl
- Python
- R
- SAS
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- UNIX
- Community Climate System Model CCSM
- Ferret
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- Geographic information system GIS systems
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
- Engineering and Technology
- Geography
- Administration and Management
- Physics